Every year, we reach out to some of our creator pals to ask them what they thought of the year that was. This year was no different. Keep reading to find out what some of the most talented folks in all of comics dug this year in our Creators’ Year in Review, Part 3.
Who were some of the artists that impressed you most this year?
Tadd Galusha (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Ghostbusters,” “Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Blood Suckers”): Too many to count, but…Lee Weeks, Dan Panosian, Chris Samnee, Sean Murphy, James Stokoe, Adam Hughes, and Goran Parlov. I mean, these guys are always amazing, but their work this year was especially inspiring for me. I’m probably forgetting another dozen people who blew my mind, like Joëlle Jones or Ashley Wood. There are just so many “Art Juggernauts” in the industry these days (their talents are an unstoppable force).
Steve Orlando (“Martian Manhunter,” “Electric Warriors”): The answer remains the same – there has been SO MUCH good work this year. Cian Tormey has been crushing it, as has Ben Harvey, Marley Zarcone, Derek Charm, Kevin Wada, Lee Bermejo, W. Scott Forbes and Joshua Middleton.
Ron Marz (“Michael Turner’s Fathom,” “Dread Gods”): Bilquis Evely, Chris Samnee, Mitch Gerads, Doc Shaner, Sumit Kumar, Sean Murphy. And, as always, Kevin Nowlan, Mike Mignola, and Walter Simonson.
Dylan Meconis (“The Long Con,” “Bitch Planet: Triple Feature”): Jack T. Cole’s work on “Unbound” really shows what an absolute monster of an artist he is.
Andy Hirsch (“Science Comics,” “Varmints”): That’s got to be Veronica Fish. She’s all around amazing, but her covers for “Blackwood” are plain some of the best I’ve ever seen. I really don’t know what to add beyond that because her work speaks for itself.
Mike Norton (“Revival,” “Grumble”): Daniel Warren Johnson and Mitch Gerards always inspire me. I really like Erica Henderson’s stuff too. My artists list is too long. I can’t narrow this stuff down.
Ben Coleman (“The Long Con”): Ibrahim Moustafa, aside from being an amazing comics creator, has been making these amazingly detailed custom action figures that fill me with jealous fury every time a new one comes out. It should be against the rules for someone to be that good at that many things, yet here we are. Patric Reynolds has this inky, Ashley Wood-esque style I can’t get enough of, and it’s been neat to see his work in various Dark Horse books this year.
Michael Moreci (“Archie Meets Batman ‘66,” “Wasted Space”): You know what, I’m going to use this opportunity to say what I feel should be said in every “best of” list: Hayden Sherman is one of the best artists working in comics right now. Fine, I’m biased because he’s drawing my book. But I don’t care, because he’s THAT good. He packs more imagination, more heart, more soul into every single one of his panels than most anyone I can think of, and he does it with a richly unique style. The lack of recognition he’s received is nothing short of a crime.
Liana Kangas (“Black AF: Devil’s Due,” “2000 AD Sci-Fi Special”): My bud Matt Emmons, who does creator owned work (currently making his “Gardener”) but also helps me color “Devil’s Dye” by Black Mask. He’s so talented and he’s working, I’m glad to know him. I’m also constantly following Paul Azaceta, Emily Pearson and Marie Enger, who everytime I turn around is doing something super rad, I’m looking forward to the work they’ll be putting out next year.
